A Perth council says it "deeply regrets" a mishap that saw 46 trees mistakenly cut down at a popular park during an $8.1 million redevelopment.

The 4.6-hectare Elizabeth Baillie Park is being upgraded to include 43 new trees and 23,160 new plants, while the accompanying heritage-listed house is being transformed into a hospitality and entertainment district.

As construction nears its end, the Town of Victoria Park has reviewed the works only to find that dozens more trees have been removed than the 30 that had been authorised.

READ MORE: Money troubles push more and more Aussies into side hustles

It is unclear exactly how it happened, but the town believes it is likely due to the poor condition of some trees, inadequate site management, and the need to accommodate new infrastructure within the park.

The town said the removals fell short of expectations and accepted full responsibility. 

"The town deeply regrets this outcome and takes full responsibility," it said in a statement this week.

"We pride ourselves on environmental stewardship, responsible planning, and community trust. In this instance, we failed to meet these standards, and we are deeply sorry.

"We understand how important the Elizabeth Baillie Precinct is to the community, and we remain committed to restoring and enhancing the space for future generations to enjoy."

READ MORE: Menulog to close in Australia, 120 jobs to go

Mayor Karen Vernon issued her own public apology, saying the incident is "deeply disappointing and devastating".

"Learning that 46 of those trees were removed as a result of a failure of the town's systems and processes in managing this project, and without notice to our community, is completely unacceptable," she said in a statement.

"Although the town has undertaken a review in recent weeks that uncovered this issue, I have called for the town to conduct a thorough investigation into how this occurred, and bring a full report to council.

"I add my sincere apologies to our community for what has occurred. It is simply not good enough. You deserve better from council and the town."

To make up for the mishap, the town has vowed to plant at least 51 more trees after construction is completed around the end of this year.

It will also ensure remaining trees are well cared for, trees are appropriately protected during the final stages of construction, increase the frequency of independent arborist assessments and review tree removal processes across all current and future projects.

READ MORE: The seven crimes that could land a child behind bars for decades

Residents were overwhelmingly unimpressed with the town's statement, taking to social media to say "the ball has been dropped" and it was a "huge oversight".

"Tree Protection zones are a basic requirement of any construction project. There are Australian Standards and they should be included in all projects working in close proximity to trees that are being kept. I walked past this site weekly and could see it happening in real time," one resident said.

"But the simple homeowner gets flogged for cutting back one tree in their backyard. Dead set double standard," another wrote.

"This all means nothing if the trees are not replaced with mature trees," a third added. 

The site, initially a maternity hospital in 1912, has held a significant place in the state's history and has served several healthcare roles over the years.

The government acquired the land about eight years later, after the Spanish influenza hit the city and more than 500 people died. 

READ MORE: Why is Donald Trump threatening to sue the BBC for $1 billion?

The town made the park and building's redevelopment its "top priority" after it inherited the site from the state government in 2006. 

The federal government committed $4 million to the project. 

The park has been temporarily closed since construction began last year. 

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

A woman from the south-eastern US will have to pay $US1.7 million ($2.6 million) after a jury found her liable for destroying a couple's marriage.

The lawsuit filed in Durham County Court in the state of North Carolina accused Brenay Kennard – an influencer with nearly 3 million followers on TikTok and 274,000 followers on Instagram – of seducing and having an affair with her manager, Tim Montague.

"She has received justice from losing her husband and the father of her children," said Robonetta Jones, who was the lawyer for Akira Montague, Tim Montague's ex wife.

READ MORE: Australia's world-first social media ban comes into effect next month. Here is what it will look like

The jury found Kennard liable for criminal conversation and alienation of affection.

North Carolina's alienation of affection law allows a spouse to sue the person they blame for an affair that ends a marriage.

North Carolina is one of the few states that allows jilted spouses to sue someone for interfering in their marriage.

Akira Montague, who brought the suit to civil court, married Tim Montague on October 20, 2018, according to the lawsuit.

Akira Montague claimed the affair caused her mental anguish, damage to her health and deprived her children of a two-parent household.

READ MORE: Australia Post's urgent Christmas scam warning

Kennard slammed the verdict saying Akira Montague knew her marriage was over and allowed the affair.

"She gave her consent," Kennard said. "She said it was OK because she knew her marriage was over with, and it was done."

The alleged affair played out both in the manager's home, and on Kennard's social media, Akira Montague claimed.

Tim Montague eventually left his wife for Kennard.

In previous North Carolina cases involving alienation of affection, plaintiffs have received millions of dollars.

They include a case In 2011, when Carol Puryear was ordered to receive $US30 million from Betty Devin. Carol Puryear was the former wife of Donald Puryear, who owns a trucking company.

The settlement is the largest of its kind in North Carolina history, according to court records.

Sally Kirkland, a one-time model who became a regular on stage, film and TV, best known for sharing the screen with Paul Newman and Robert Redford in The Sting and her Oscar-nominated title role in the 1987 movie Anna, has died. She was 84.

Her representative, Michael Greene, said Kirkland died Tuesday morning local time at a hospice in Palm Springs, California.

Friends established a GoFundMe account this fall for her medical care. They said she had fractured four bones in her neck, right wrist and left hip. While recovering, she also developed infections, requiring hospitalisation and rehab.

READ MORE: Australian activewear label folds after 10 years

"She was funny, feisty, vulnerable and self-deprecating," actor Jennifer Tilly, who co-starred with Kirkland in Sallywood, wrote on X.

"She never wanted anyone to say she was gone. 'Don't say Sally died, say Sally passed on into the spirits.' Safe passage, beautiful lady."

Kirkland acted in such films as The Way We Were with Barbra Streisand, Revenge with Kevin Costner, Cold Feet with Keith Carradine and Tom Waits, Ron Howard's EDtv, Oliver Stone's JFK, Heatwave with Cicely Tyson, High Stakes with Kathy Bates, Bruce Almighty with Jim Carrey and the 1991 TV movie The Haunted, about a family dealing with paranormal activity. She had a cameo in Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles.

READ MORE: Missing dog reappears after seven weeks in South Australian scrub

Her biggest role was in 1987's Anna as a fading Czech movie star remaking her life in the United States and mentoring to a younger actor, Paulina Porizkova. Kirkland won a Golden Globe and earned an Oscar nomination along with Cher in Moonstruck, Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, Holly Hunter in Broadcast News and Meryl Streep in Ironweed.

"Kirkland is one of those performers whose talent has been an open secret to her fellow actors but something of a mystery to the general public," the Los Angeles Times critic wrote in her review.

"There should be no confusion about her identity after this blazing comet of a performance."

READ MORE: Liberal party to thrash out united stance on net zero target

Kirkland's small-screen acting credits include stints on Criminal Minds, Roseanne, Head Case and she was a series regular on the TV shows Valley of the Dolls and Charlie's Angels.

Born in New York City, Kirkland's mother was a fashion editor at Vogue and Life magazine who encouraged her daughter to start modelling at age 5. Kirkland graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and studied with Philip Burton, Richard Burton's mentor, and Lee Strasberg, the master of the Method school of acting.

An early breakout was appearing in Andy Warhol's 13 Most Beautiful Women in 1964. She appeared naked as a kidnapped rape victim in Terrence McNally's off-Broadway "Sweet Eros".

READ MORE: Why top paediatric surgeon gives e-bikes the green light

Some of her early roles were Shakespeare, including the lovesick Helena in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" for New York Shakespeare Festival producer Joseph Papp and Miranda in an off-Broadway production of "The Tempest."

"I don't think any actor can really call him or herself an actor unless he or she puts in time with Shakespeare," she told the Los Angeles Times in 1991.

"It shows up, it always shows up in the work, at some point, whether it's just not being able to have breath control, or not being able to appreciate language as poetry and music, or not having the power that Shakespeare automatically instills you with when you take on one of his characters."

Kirkland was a member of several New Age groups, taught Insight Transformational Seminars and was a longtime member of the affiliated Church of the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, whose followers believe in soul transcendence.

She reached a career nadir while riding nude on a pig in the 1969 film Futz, which a Guardian reviewer dubbed the worst film he had ever seen. "It was about a man who fell in love with a pig, and even by the dismal standards of the era, it was dismal," he wrote.

Kirkland was also known for disrobing for so many other roles and social causes that Time magazine dubbed her "the latter-day Isadora Duncan of nudothespianism."

Kirkland volunteered for people with AIDS, cancer and heart disease, fed homeless people via the American Red Cross, participated in telethons for hospices and was an advocate for prisoners, especially young people.

The actors union SAG-AFTRA called her "a fearless performer whose artistry and advocacy spanned more than six decades," adding that as "a true mentor and champion for actors, her generosity and spirit will continue to inspire."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Former world chess champion Vladimir Kramnik is being investigated for bullying and harassment over his comments about a rival, Daniel Naroditsky, world chess governing body FIDE has announced.

Naroditsky, an American chess grandmaster who amassed a large online following through streaming and teaching, died unexpectedly at the age of 29, according to a statement released by his family via the Charlotte Chess Centre on Monday. No cause of death was announced.

Kramnik, a grandmaster and the world chess champion between 2000 and 2007, had repeatedly accused Naroditsky of cheating in online games.

READ MORE: Why Queensland's top paediatric surgeon gives e-bikes the green light

Naroditsky denied the accusations and, during his final Twitch stream last week, spoke about the mental toll Kramnik's campaign had taken on him.

"The problem is, ever since the Kramnik stuff, I feel like if I start doing well, people assume the worst of intentions," he said, adding: "The issue is just the lingering effect of it."

Kramnik has denied any wrongdoing and wrote on X Thursday that he hopes the "real truth about the curcumstances (sic) and cause of this tradegy (sic) will be revealed, despite all attempts to hide it."

Speaking to CNN's Jake Tapper on "The Lead" on Wednesday, FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich said that the organisation "thought that Vladimir's accusations were reckless and ungrounded."

He added: "Our fair play commission is looking into that. And I personally, and our management board, decided to pass it to our ethics commission for investigation, an independent investigation. We do believe that any kind of bullying or harassment is intolerable in any life activity — in sports, in chess in particular."

Dvorkovich explained that "any kind of sanction is possible" for Kramnik, though that decision ultimately rests with the ethics commission.

"In recent times, public debate within the chess world has too often moved beyond the boundaries of acceptable, harming not only people's reputation but their very well-being," Dvorkovich said in a statement released by FIDE on Wednesday.

"When this happens, discussions can turn into harassment, bullying, and personal attacks — a particularly serious concern in today's environment.

"The chess community has long respected the achievements of GM Vladimir Kramnik, and his contributions to our sport are undeniable. The same high standards that accompany great achievements, however, also confer a responsibility to uphold the principles of fairness and respect and to be ambassadors for the sport."

When contacted by CNN Sports, Kramnik pointed to his recent interview with Russian outlet Match TV, during which he described FIDE's investigation as "insulting," "unfair" and "orchestrat(ing) a shameful campaign of harassment against me and my loved ones"

He added in the interview: "The fact that FIDE makes such statements is unacceptable neither from a moral nor a legal point of view."

According to The Associated Press, Kramnik first accused Naroditsky of cheating in online chess last October without providing substantial evidence.

Since Naroditsky's death, other players have spoken out against Kramnik, with five-time world champion Magnus Carlsen calling his conduct "horrible" and world No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura describing his campaign against perceived cheating as "nonsense" and "insane."

"It's time to stop worrying about the backlash. I am calling on the FIDE EDC (Ethics and Disciplinary Commission) to remove Vladimir Kramnik from the FIDE record books, revoke his title, and disqualify his world championship," streamer and woman grandmaster Nemo Zhou wrote on X.

"Chess is one of the most beloved games in the world and should be a place for kindness and inclusion."

Without naming Kramnik, grandmaster Nihal Sarin wrote on X that Naroditsky had faced "relentless, baseless accusations and public interrogations" which caused "immense pressure and pain."

"Daniel's smile faded after the attacks began," Sarin added.

Kramnik has long waged a war against what he believes to be widespread cheating in online chess, describing it as a "rapidly spreading desease (sic)" in a "fair play in chess" fundraising campaign launched earlier this year.

Naroditsky was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. After learning to play chess at the age of six, he would go on to earn the title of grandmaster – the highest title awarded by FIDE – before he was a senior in high school.

A popular figure online, he had half a million subscribers on his YouTube channel and 340,000 followers on Twitch, as well as being hired by the New York Times in 2022 as a chess columnist.

Speaking on "The Lead," FIDE president Dvorkovich described Naroditsky as "a bright person, a grandmaster, educator, commentator. He was loved by many."

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

Exclusive: A top paediatric surgeon has given the green light to kids riding e-bikes but warns e-scooters are a "huge issue".

Professor Roy Kimble, who is the director of burns, trauma and paediatric surgery at the Queensland Children's Hospital, said he'd much rather see kids riding safely on legal e-bikes than being chauffeured around by mum and dad.

"I think cycling is something that kids should do because we don't want them just getting into mum and dad's car and being driven to school every day and picked up and come home, sit by the computer and just veg," he told 9news.com.au.

READ MORE: NSW e-bike crackdown looms with fines up to $825k for breaching new safety requirements

"E-bikes are exactly the same as other bikes, except you don't have to be super fit to be on them, it's just an assist from pedalling.

"We don't want a cotton wool society, we want our kids to be active, to get out there and cycle to school and that sort of thing, but we want that to be done safely.

"Obviously, you can't be modifying these bikes because I know some of them modify them so they can go faster

"There are rules for these bikes for a reason.

"But, I think there are huge benefits if they're doing it properly."

He said the number of kids presenting in emergency rooms with injuries from e-bike accidents was "virtually similar" to push bikes, which may come as reassurance to parents with e-bikes topping the Christmas wishlists of many teens and pre-teens.

E-scooters, however, are a "huge problem", he said, with a "dramatic increase" in the number of e-scooter deaths and injuries in kids, and the number rising year on year.

"It's the head injuries killing kids… unfortunately, even with wearing helmets, that doesn't always protect you.

"They're inherently unstable… tiny little wheels… and you can obviously get up to quite high speeds."

READ MORE: The Wiggles company admits 'likely' law breach over Emma headband

Kimble, who is also vice patron of KidSafe Queensland, said parents and governments have a shared responsibility to make it safe for kids to ride legal e-bikes.

"The parents obviously have a responsibility here but I think the government and councils have an equally big responsibility to make our environment safer.

"Councils need to have more cycleways and link up the cycleways so you don't have to cross roads.

"We're seven years away from the (Olympic) Games here in Queensland.

"I think in a wealthy country like Australia, we should be providing an example to the world."

He cited the Netherlands as a country that had invested in getting people out of cars and onto bikes.

"Bikes rule there and everyone likes it because they've made it safe."

There is no age requirement for riding e-bikes across most of the country, except in Western Australia, where riders must be 16 or older to ride with the motor engaged.

Most states require e-scooter riders to be over the age of 16.

In Queensland, they can ride as young as 12 if supervised by an adult.

In most of Australia, e-bikes must not generate more than 250 watts of continuous power or exceed 25km/h while being ridden on roads or in public.

The assistance automatically cuts off once the e-bike reaches this speed and the rider returns to the limits of human pedal power.

In NSW, they must not exceed 500 watts.

"Unlocked" e-bikes that can reach higher motor-assisted speeds are only legal when ridden on private property.

Petrol-powered bicycles cannot legally be ridden on roads or footpaths.

Electric motorcycles cannot be ridden on footpaths and require registration, insurance and licensing.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Australian label Exotic Athletica will officially fold this week after 10 years in business.

The Queensland-based activewear and athleisure brand collapsed into voluntary administration in April.

Administrators SV Partners announced at the time they were hoping to find a buyer for the "much-loved" brand, which launched in 2014, but the rescue bid failed to come through.

READ MORE: 'Deeply troubling': Author's dogged pursuit of the truth 50 years after Whitlam dismissal

The Sunshine Coast business told followers in a social media post this week that it would shut for good on Sunday.

"After 10 wild, messy, fabulous years of leggings, crops, and chaos… it's time for us to say something we never thought we would: Exotica is closing our doors on Sunday, November 16th," the company announced.⁠

"We built this brand for women who dare themselves, who sweat, laugh, cry, and strut in every shape and size imaginable. And wow — you did just that.

"We've loved watching you own your bodies, your moves, and your boldness. You made it bigger, louder, and wilder than we ever imagined.⁠

READ MORE: Two arrests made over brazen supermarket firebombing

"To our creators, our ride-or-die customers, and our team of absolute legends: thank you for every story, every post, every cheer, every 'yes you can'. You made Exotica unforgettable.⁠"

The brand is still operating until then and hoping to move as much of the remaining stock as possible over the next few days, with items discounted by 70 per cent.

"Because darling, if we're going out… we're going out sassy, sweaty, and unforgettable," the brand said.⁠

The business was launched by Leilani Chandler, who "became inspired by Brazil's fitness fashion culture, their celebration of feminine curves and bold designs that encourage women to express themselves", according to the company's website.

The brand became a hit, with Chandler once telling media that sales of one particular $49.99 top online between April 2020 and April 2021, earned her $7 million.

However, things took a turn over the past few years SV Partners said in their May announcement of voluntary administration.

"In recent years, Exotic Athletica has faced significant challenges, such as changes in senior management and increased operational expenses," the statement said.

SV Partners have been contacted.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Two more people have been arrested over a brazen daylight fire-bombing attack of an Adelaide supermarket last month.

The incident, which occurred in broad daylight, resulted in serious injuries to two butchers.

CCTV captured the attack, including the moment one of the alleged arsonists emerged having set himself alight. 

READ MORE: US aviation giant gets green light to take over collapsed Aussie airline

A court heard today that one of the victims was doused in fuel and thought he was going to die and the shop was going to explode.

Yesterday, a 40-year-old man, who police allege was the getaway driver, was arrested at a home in Paralowie during a raid.

The accused driver allegedly used a black Lexus to flee the scene, colliding with several other vehicles in the process. 

He faces multiple charges, including arson, two counts of attempted murder, and six counts of endangering life. 

READ MORE: Australia hits 'extraordinary, surprising' seven-year high

He was today denied bail to protect the safety of the victims and wider community.

Two other men had previously been arrested and faced court in connection with the firebombing. 

All three men will remain in custody until their next court appearance in April next year. 

A 37-year-old woman has also been arrested over the matter. 

She is accused of supplying the accelerant used in the attack and knowing its intended purpose. 

She has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court in January.

The investigation is ongoing.

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.

A manhunt is under way after a man was smashed in the head with a gun that fired during the ordeal.

A 27-year-old man was hit in the head with a firearm in Quakers Hill about 8pm yesterday, prompting residents to rush out and help him.

"There was a very loud bang and a piercing scream, so (we) went out to investigate," witness Mitchell Klenner said.

READ MORE: Great White Shark knocks rider off foilboard at WA beach

"Ran back home, got bandages to compress the wound. He was bleeding rapidly.

"You just want to help your fellow man."

Police and paramedics arrived but the attackers fled the scene shortly after the incident.

In a video filmed after the attack the man said "I was just stopping by. I came from Newcastle".

It's left residents scared,

"We've got young kids at home, this has been a safe neighbourhood. It's absolutely terrifying seeing this crime on our street," Klenner said.

Police say the attackers arrived in a black sedan before approaching the 27-year-old, who was inside his green Commodore.

A fight broke out and a single shot was fired.

Police are now searching for two people.

READ MORE: Warren Buffett says he is 'going quiet' in final letter to shareholders

Police said they seized three mobile phones and a substance believed to be cocaine.

The victim remains in Westmead hospital.

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

Analysis: If you've read much about the economy recently, you'll have noticed not a hell of a lot of the headlines have been positive as of late.

While Australia is still a strong performer by global standards – unlike many other countries, it hasn't had any post-COVID quarters of economic decline, has dodged the worst of Donald Trump's tariffs, and still has historically low unemployment – there are signs the easing cost-of-living crisis might yet have a sting in its tail.

Inflation has picked up again, and despite the jobless rate rising to its highest level since the height of the pandemic, any chance of a pre-Christmas interest rate cut – once considered a near-certainty – has been well and truly dashed.

READ MORE: Alleged gunman charged in 'mistaken identity' murder of Sydney plumber

And just to top things off, the RBA warned yesterday that Australia could find itself trapped in a period of low growth.

So it has come as a major surprise that a new survey has revealed consumers are currently feeling cheerier about the economy than at any other point in the last seven years, outside the highly volatile years of the pandemic.

The latest edition of the Westpac-Melbourne Institute Consumer Sentiment Index, released today, surged 12.8 per cent to 103.8.

That's the first time the index has climbed into overall optimistic territory (over 100) since early 2022.

"This is an extraordinary and somewhat surprising result," Westpac head of Australian macro-forecasting Matthew Hassan said.

READ MORE: Future PM told Whitlam to arrest the governor-general

"Sentiment overall is still only marginally positive rather than strongly optimistic. 

"However, the move draws a clearer line under what had been an extended period of consumer pessimism when disposable incomes were being hit hard by a combination of high inflation, high interest rates and rising tax payments…

"The real surprise, though, is how much these positives have outweighed renewed concerns about inflation and the outlook for interest rates."

In a sign those worries about the cash rate haven't completely evaporated, sentiment dropped slightly among households with a mortgage despite the overall rise.

It could also paint a promising picture for retailers ahead of the Christmas period – while about a third of consumers are planning to spend less this high season than a year before, 15 per cent say they'll spend more.

"While the mix falls short of that seen during the post-COVID reopening boom in 2021, it's the 'least restrained' spending intentions we have recorded outside of that year since 2016," Hassan wrote.

READ MORE: Why you won't be in a hurry to pack away your winter woolies

However, not everyone is convinced that the uptick is much more than a volatile outlier in the survey results.

"This result is a huge surprise, given the RBA's message last week of no further near-term interest rate relief," CreditorWatch chief economist Ival Colhoun said. 

"It's also a little hard to believe… I'm inclined to suspect survey volatility."

If the rise is genuine though, and consumers are planning to start spending more, that could suggest recent inflation pressures are unlikely to ease anytime soon – which would only further dent the chance of another interest rate cut.

"Perhaps an explanation for the improvement is that prior negativity has lifted," Colhoun said.

"Again, I'd like to see further confirmation next month, but at face value it's another positive signal on the economy and unhelpful for the likelihood of further interest rate cuts being delivered any time soon."

DOWNLOAD THE 9NEWS APP: Stay across all the latest in breaking news, sport, politics and the weather via our news app and get notifications sent straight to your smartphone. Available on the Apple App Store and Google Play.

The information provided on this website is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice. The information has been prepared without taking into account your personal objectives, financial situation or needs. Before acting on any information on this website you should consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs.

About 15,000 people turned out for the NZ Trotting Cup at Addington Raceway.